Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Acts » Chapter 25 » Verse 1-27

Acts 25:1-27 King James Version (KJV)

1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.


Acts 25:1-27 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Now G3767 when Festus G5347 was come G1910 into the province, G1885 after G3326 three G5140 days G2250 he ascended G305 from G575 Caesarea G2542 to G1519 Jerusalem. G2414

2 Then G1161 the high priest G749 and G2532 the chief G4413 of the Jews G2453 informed G1718 him G846 against G2596 Paul, G3972 and G2532 besought G3870 him, G846

3 And desired G154 favour G5485 against G2596 him, G846 that G3704 he would send for G3343 him G846 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2419 laying G4160 wait G1747 in G2596 the way G3598 to kill G337 him. G846

4 But G3303 G3767 Festus G5347 answered, G611 that Paul G3972 should be kept G5083 at G1722 Caesarea, G2542 and G1161 that he himself G1438 would G3195 depart G1607 G1722 shortly G5034 thither.

5 Let them therefore, G3767 said G5346 he, which among G1722 you G5213 are able, G1415 go down with G4782 me, and accuse G2723 this G846 man, G435 if G1536 there be G2076 any wickedness G1536 in G1722 him. G5129

6 And G1161 when he had tarried G1304 among G1722 them G846 more G4119 than G2228 ten G1176 days, G2250 he went down G2597 unto G1519 Caesarea; G2542 and the next day G1887 sitting G2523 on G1909 the judgment seat G968 commanded G2753 Paul G3972 to be brought. G71

7 And G1161 when he G846 was come, G3854 the Jews G2453 which came down G2597 from G575 Jerusalem G2414 stood round about, G4026 and G2532 laid G5342 many G4183 and grievous G926 complaints G157 against G2596 Paul, G3972 which G3739 they could G2480 not G3756 prove. G584

8 While he answered G626 for himself, G846 Neither G3754 G3777 against G1519 the law G3551 of the Jews, G2453 neither G3777 against G1519 the temple, G2411 nor yet G3777 against G1519 Caesar, G2541 have I offended G264 any thing at all. G5100

9 But G1161 Festus, G5347 willing G2309 to do G2698 the Jews G2453 a pleasure, G5485 answered G611 Paul, G3972 and said, G2036 Wilt thou G2309 go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 and there G1563 be judged G2919 of G4012 these things G5130 before G1909 me? G1700

10 Then G1161 said G2036 Paul, G3972 I stand G1510 G2476 at G1909 Caesar's G2541 judgment seat, G968 where G3757 I G3165 ought G1163 to be judged: G2919 to the Jews G2453 have I done G91 no G3762 wrong, G91 as G5613 G2532 thou G4771 very well G2566 knowest. G1921

11 For G1063 if G1487 G3303 I be an offender, G91 or G2532 have committed G4238 any thing G5100 worthy G514 of death, G2288 I refuse G3868 not G3756 to die: G599 but G1161 if G1487 there be G2076 none G3762 of these things G3739 whereof these G3778 accuse G2723 me, G3450 no man G3762 may G1410 deliver G5483 me G3165 unto them. G846 I appeal unto G1941 Caesar. G2541

12 Then G5119 Festus, G5347 when he had conferred G4814 with G3326 the council, G4824 answered, G611 Hast thou appealed unto G1941 Caesar? G2541 unto G1909 Caesar G2541 shalt thou go. G4198

13 And G1161 after G1230 certain G5100 days G2250 king G935 Agrippa G67 and G2532 Bernice G959 came G2658 unto G1519 Caesarea G2542 to salute G782 Festus. G5347

14 And G1161 when G5613 they had been G1304 there G1563 many G4119 days, G2250 Festus G5347 declared G394 Paul's G3972 cause G2596 unto the king, G935 saying, G3004 There is G2076 a certain G5100 man G435 left G2641 in bonds G1198 by G5259 Felix: G5344

15 About G4012 whom, G3739 when G1096 I G3450 was G1096 at G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the elders G4245 of the Jews G2453 informed G1718 me, desiring G154 to have judgment G1349 against G2596 him. G846

16 To G4314 whom G3739 I answered, G611 G3754 It is G2076 not G3756 the manner G1485 of the Romans G4514 to deliver G5483 any G5100 man G444 to G1519 die, G684 before G4250 that G2228 he which is accused G2723 have G2192 the accusers G2725 face to face, G2596 G4383 G5037 and have G2983 licence G5117 to answer for himself G627 concerning G4012 the crime laid against him. G1462

17 Therefore, G3767 when they G846 were come G4905 hither, G1759 without G4160 any G3367 delay G311 on the morrow G1836 I sat G2523 on G1909 the judgment seat, G968 and commanded G2753 the man G435 to be brought forth. G71

18 Against G4012 whom G3739 when the accusers G2725 stood up, G2476 they brought G2018 none G3762 accusation G156 of such things as G3739 I G1473 supposed: G5282

19 But G1161 had G2192 certain G5100 questions G2213 against G4314 him G846 of G4012 their own G2398 superstition, G1175 and G2532 of G4012 one G5100 Jesus, G2424 which was dead, G2348 whom G3739 Paul G3972 affirmed G5335 to be alive. G2198

20 And G1161 because I G1473 doubted G639 of G1519 such G5127 manner G4012 of questions, G2214 I asked G3004 him whether G1487 he would G1014 go G4198 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2419 and there G2546 be judged G2919 of G4012 these matters. G5130

21 But G1161 when Paul G3972 had appealed G1941 to be reserved G5083 G846 unto G1519 the hearing G1233 of Augustus, G4575 I commanded G2753 him G846 to be kept G5083 till G2193 G3757 I might send G3992 him G846 to G4314 Caesar. G2541

22 Then G1161 Agrippa G67 said G5346 unto G4314 Festus, G5347 I would G1014 also G2532 hear G191 the man G444 myself. G846 To morrow, G839 G1161 said G5346 he, thou shalt hear G191 him. G846

23 And on the morrow, G1887 when G3767 Agrippa G67 was come, G2064 and G2532 Bernice, G959 with G3326 great G4183 pomp, G5325 and G2532 was entered G1525 into G1519 the place of hearing, G201 with G4862 G5037 the chief captains, G5506 and G2532 principal G2596 G1851 men G435 of G5607 the city, G4172 at G2532 Festus' G5347 commandment G2753 Paul G3972 was brought forth. G71

24 And G2532 Festus G5347 said, G5346 King G935 Agrippa, G67 and G2532 all G3956 men G435 which G3588 are here present G4840 with us, G2254 ye see G2334 this man, G5126 about G4012 whom G3739 all G3956 the multitude G4128 of the Jews G2453 have dealt G1793 with me, G3427 both G5037 at G1722 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 also here, G1759 crying G1916 that he ought G1163 not G3361 to live G2198 any longer. G3371

25 But G1161 when I G1473 found G2638 that he G846 had committed G4238 nothing G3367 worthy G514 of death, G2288 and G2532 G1161 that he himself G846 hath appealed G5127 to G1941 Augustus, G4575 I have determined G2919 to send G3992 him. G846

26 Of G4012 whom G3739 I have G2192 no G3756 certain G804 thing G5100 to write G1125 unto my lord. G2962 Wherefore G1352 I have brought G4254 him G846 forth G4254 before G1909 you, G5216 and G2532 specially G3122 before G1909 thee, G4675 O king G935 Agrippa, G67 that, G3704 after examination G351 had, G1096 I might have G2192 somewhat G5100 to write. G1125

27 For G1063 it seemeth G1380 to me G3427 unreasonable G249 to send G3992 a prisoner, G1198 and G2532 not withal G3361 to signify G4591 the crimes G156 laid against G2596 him. G846


Acts 25:1-27 American Standard (ASV)

1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him,

3 asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.

4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart `thither' shortly.

5 Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.

6 And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;

8 while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.

9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.

11 If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is `true' whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus.

14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed `me', asking for sentence against him.

16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

17 When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;

19 but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar.

22 And Agrippa `said' unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.

23 So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in.

24 And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.


Acts 25:1-27 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Festus, therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea,

2 and the chief priest and the principal men of the Jews made manifest to him `the things' against Paul, and were calling on him,

3 asking favour against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.

4 Then, indeed, Festus answered that Paul is kept in Caesarea, and himself is about speedily to go on thither,

5 `Therefore those able among you -- saith he -- having come down together, if there be anything in this man -- let them accuse him;'

6 and having tarried among them more than ten days, having gone down to Caesarea, on the morrow having sat upon the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought;

7 and he having come, there stood round about the Jews who have come down from Jerusalem -- many and weighty charges they are bringing against Paul, which they were not able to prove,

8 he making defence -- `Neither in regard to the law of the Jews, nor in regard to the temple, nor in regard to Caesar -- did I commit any sin.'

9 And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, `Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?'

10 and Paul said, `At the tribunal of Caesar I am standing, where it behoveth me to be judged; to Jews I did no unrighteousness, as thou dost also very well know;

11 for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!'

12 then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, `To Caesar thou hast appealed; to Caesar thou shalt go.'

13 And certain days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus,

14 and as they were continuing there more days, Festus submitted to the king the things concerning Paul, saying, `There is a certain man, left by Felix, a prisoner,

15 about whom, in my being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information, asking a decision against him,

16 unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against `him'.

17 `They, therefore, having come together -- I, making no delay, on the succeeding `day' having sat upon the tribunal, did command the man to be brought,

18 concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against `him' no accusation of the things I was thinking of,

19 but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;

20 and I, doubting in regard to the question concerning this, said, If he would wish to go on to Jerusalem, and there to be judged concerning these things --

21 but Paul having appealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.'

22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, `I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, `To-morrow thou shalt hear him;'

23 on the morrow, therefore -- on the coming of Agrippa and Bernice with much display, and they having entered into the audience chamber, with the chief captains also, and the principal men of the city, and Festus having ordered -- Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, `King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, ye see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews did deal with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out, He ought not to live any longer;

25 and I, having found him to have done nothing worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Sebastus, I decided to send him,

26 concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to `my' lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write;

27 for it doth seem to me irrational, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.'


Acts 25:1-27 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Festus therefore, being come into the eparchy, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2 And the chief priests and the chief of the Jews laid informations before him against Paul, and besought him,

3 asking as a grace against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying people in wait to kill him on the way.

4 Festus therefore answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to set out shortly.

5 Let therefore the persons of authority among you, says he, going down too, if there be anything in this man, accuse him.

6 And having remained among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and on the next day, having sat down on the judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he was come, the Jews who were come down from Jerusalem stood round, bringing many and grievous charges which they were not able to prove:

8 Paul answering for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended [in] anything.

9 But Festus, desirous of obliging the Jews, to acquire their favour, answering Paul, said, Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem, there to be judged before me concerning these things?

10 But Paul said, I am standing before the judgment-seat of Caesar, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews have I done no wrong, as *thou* also very well knowest.

11 If then I have done any wrong and committed anything worthy of death, I do not deprecate dying; but if there is nothing of those things of which they accuse me, no man can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.

12 Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed to Caesar. To Caesar shalt thou go.

13 And when certain days had elapsed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had spent many days there, Festus laid before the king the matters relating to Paul, saying, There is a certain man left prisoner by Felix,

15 concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid informations, requiring judgment against him:

16 to whom I answered, It is not [the] custom of the Romans to give up any man before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and he have got opportunity of defence touching the charge.

17 When therefore they had come together here, without putting it off, I sat the next day on the judgment-seat and commanded the man to be brought:

18 concerning whom the accusers, standing up, brought no such accusation of guilt as *I* supposed;

19 but had against him certain questions of their own system of worship, and concerning a certain Jesus who is dead, whom Paul affirmed to be living.

20 And as I myself was at a loss as to an inquiry into these things, I said, Was he willing to go to Jerusalem and there to be judged concerning these things?

21 But Paul having appealed to be kept for the cognisance of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I shall send him to Caesar.

22 And Agrippa [said] to Festus, I myself also would desire to hear the man. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 On the morrow therefore, Agrippa being come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and having entered into the hall of audience, with the chiliarchs and the men of distinction of the city, and Festus having given command, Paul was brought.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye see this person, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews applied to me both in Jerusalem and here, crying out against [him] that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But I, having found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and this [man] himself having appealed to Augustus, I have decided to send him;

26 concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, so that an examination having been gone into I may have something to write:

27 for it seems to me senseless, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.


Acts 25:1-27 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,

3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.

4 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.

5 "Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him."

6 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,

8 while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."

9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?"

10 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.

11 For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go."

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.

14 As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.

16 To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

17 When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;

19 but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar."

22 Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."

23 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

24 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.

27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him."


Acts 25:1-27 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 So Festus, having come into that part of the country which was under his rule, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2 And the chief priests and the chief men of the Jews made statements against Paul,

3 Requesting Festus to give effect to their design against him, and send him to Jerusalem, when they would be waiting to put him to death on the way.

4 But Festus, in answer, said that Paul was being kept in prison at Caesarea, and that in a short time he himself was going there.

5 So, he said, let those who have authority among you go with me, and if there is any wrong in the man, let them make a statement against him.

6 And when he had been with them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and on the day after, he took his place on the judge's seat, and sent for Paul.

7 And when he came, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem came round him, and made all sorts of serious statements against him, which were not supported by the facts.

8 Then Paul, in his answer to them, said, I have done no wrong against the law of the Jews, or against the Temple, or against Caesar.

9 But Festus, desiring to get the approval of the Jews, said to Paul, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and be judged before me there in connection with these things?

10 And Paul said, I am before the seat of Caesar's authority where it is right for me to be judged: I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you are well able to see.

11 If, then, I am a wrongdoer and there is a cause of death in me, I am ready for death: if it is not as they say against me, no man may give me up to them. Let my cause come before Caesar.

12 Then Festus, having had a discussion with the Jews, made answer, You have said, Let my cause come before Caesar; to Caesar you will go.

13 Now when some days had gone by, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea and went to see Festus.

14 And as they were there for some days, Festus gave them Paul's story, saying, There is a certain man here who was put in prison by Felix:

15 Against whom the chief priests and the rulers of the Jews made a statement when I was at Jerusalem, requesting me to give a decision against him.

16 To whom I gave answer that it is not the Roman way to give a man up, till he has been face to face with those who are attacking him, and has had a chance to give an answer to the statements made against him.

17 So, when they had come together here, straight away, on the day after, I took my place on the judge's seat and sent for the man.

18 But when they got up they said nothing about such crimes as I had in mind:

19 But had certain questions against him in connection with their religion, and about one Jesus, now dead, who, Paul said, was living.

20 And as I had not enough knowledge for the discussion of these things, I made the suggestion to him to go to Jerusalem and be judged there.

21 But when Paul made a request that he might be judged by Caesar, I gave orders for him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22 And Agrippa said to Festus, I have a desire to give the man a hearing myself. Tomorrow, he said, you may give him a hearing.

23 So on the day after, when Agrippa and Bernice in great glory had come into the public place of hearing, with the chief of the army and the chief men of the town, at the order of Festus, Paul was sent for.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all those who are present here with us, you see this man, about whom all the Jews have made protests to me, at Jerusalem and in this place, saying that it is not right for him to be living any longer.

25 But, in my opinion, there is no cause of death in him, and as he himself has made a request to be judged by Caesar, I have said that I would send him.

26 But I have no certain account of him to send to Caesar. So I have sent for him to come before you, and specially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the business has been gone into, I may have something to put in writing.

27 For it seems to me against reason to send a prisoner without making clear what there is against him.

Commentary on Acts 25 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 25

Ac 25:1-12. Festus, Coming to Jerusalem, Declines to Have Paul Brought Thither for Judgment, but Gives the Parties a Hearing on His Return to CæsareaOn Festus Asking the Apostle if He Would Go to Jerusalem for Another Hearing before Him, He Is Constrained in Justice to His Cause to Appeal to the Emperor.

1-3. Festus … after three days … ascended … to Jerusalem—to make himself acquainted with the great central city of his government without delay.

2. Then the high priest—a successor of him before whom Paul had appeared (Ac 23:2).

and the chief of the Jews—and "the whole multitude of the Jews" (Ac 25:24) clamorously.

informed him against Paul …

3. desired favour—in Ac 25:15, "judgment."

against him—It would seem that they had the insolence to ask him to have the prisoner executed even without a trial (Ac 25:16).

laying wait … to kill him—How deep must have been their hostility, when two years after the defeat of their former attempt, they thirst as keenly as ever for his blood! Their plea for having the case tried at Jerusalem, where the alleged offense took place, was plausible enough; but from Ac 25:10 it would seem that Festus had been made acquainted with their causeless malice, and that in some way which Paul was privy to.

4-6. answered that Paul should be kept—rather, "is in custody."

at Cæsarea, and … himself would depart shortly thither.

5. Let them … which among you are able, go down—"your leading men."

7. the Jews … from Jerusalem—clamorously, as at Jerusalem; see Ac 25:24.

many and grievous complaints against Paul—From his reply, and Festus' statement of the case before Agrippa, these charges seem to have been a jumble of political and religious matter which they were unable to substantiate, and vociferous cries that he was unfit to live. Paul's reply, not given in full, was probably little more than a challenge to prove any of their charges, whether political or religious.

9, 10. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure—to ingratiate himself with them.

said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and … be judged … before me—or, "under my protection." If this was meant in earnest, it was temporizing and vacillating. But, possibly, anticipating Paul's refusal, he wished merely to avoid the odium of refusing to remove the trial to Jerusalem.

10. Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar's judgment seat—that is, I am already before the proper tribunal. This seems to imply that he understood Festus to propose handing him over to the Sanhedrim for judgment (and see on Ac 25:11), with a mere promise of protection from him. But from going to Jerusalem at all he was too well justified in shrinking, for there assassination had been quite recently planned against him.

to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou knowest very well—literally, "better," that is, (perhaps), better than to press such a proposal.

if there be none of these things … no man may deliver me unto them—The word signifies to "surrender in order to gratify" another.

11. I appeal to Cæsar—The right of appeal to the supreme power, in case of life and death, was secured by an ancient law to every Roman citizen, and continued under the empire. Had Festus shown any disposition to pronounce final judgment, Paul, strong in the consciousness of his innocence and the justice of a Roman tribunal, would not have made this appeal. But when the only other alternative offered him was to give his own consent to be transferred to the great hotbed of plots against his life, and to a tribunal of unscrupulous and bloodthirsty ecclesiastics whose vociferous cries for his death had scarcely subsided, no other course was open to him.

12. Festus—little expecting such an appeal, but bound to respect it.

having conferred with the council—his assessors in judgment, as to the admissibility of the appeal.

said, Hast thou—for "thou hast."

to Cæsar shalt thou go—as if he would add perhaps "and see if thou fare better."

Ac 25:13-27. Herod Agrippa II ON A Visit to Festus, Being Consulted by Him on Paul's Case, Desires to Hear the Apostle, Who Is Accordingly Brought Forth.

13. King Agrippa—great-grandson of Herod the Great, and Drusilla's brother (see on Ac 24:24). On his father's awful death (Ac 12:23), being thought too young (seventeen) to succeed, Judea, was attached to the province of Syria. Four years after, on the death of his uncle Herod, he was made king of the northern principalities of Chalcis, and afterwards got Batanea, Iturea, Trachonitis, Abilene, Galilee, and Perea, with the title of king. He died A.D. 100, after reigning fifty-one years.

and Bernice—his sister. She was married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis, on whose death she lived with her brother Agrippa—not without suspicion of incestuous intercourse, which her subsequent licentious life tended to confirm.

came to salute Festus—to pay his respects to him on his accession to the procuratorship.

14, 15. when there many—"several"

days, Festus declared Paul's cause—taking advantage of the presence of one who might be presumed to know such matters better than himself; though the lapse of "several days" ere the subject was touched on shows that it gave Festus little trouble.

16-21. to deliver any man to die—On the word "deliver up," see on Ac 25:11.

18. as I supposed—"suspected"—crimes punishable by civil law.

19. questions … of their own superstition—rather, "religion" (see on Ac 17:22). It cannot be supposed that Festus would use the word in any discourteous sense in addressing his Jewish guest.

one Jesus—"Thus speaks this miserable Festus of Him to whom every knee shall bow" [Bengel].

whom Paul affirmed—"kept affirming."

to be alive—showing that the resurrection of the Crucified One had been the burden, as usual, of Paul's pleading. The insignificance of the whole affair in the eyes of Festus is manifest.

20. because I doubted of such manner of questions—The "I" is emphatic. "I," as a Roman judge, being at a loss how to deal with such matters.

21. the hearing of Augustus—the imperial title first conferred by the Roman Senate on Octavius.

22-27. I would also hear—"should like to hear."

the man myself—No doubt Paul was fight when he said, "The king knoweth of these things … for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner" (Ac 26:26). Hence his curiosity to see and hear the man who had raised such commotion and was remodelling to such an extent the whole Jewish life.

23. when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp—in the same city in which their father, on account of his pride, had perished, eaten up by worms [Wetst].

with the chief captains—(See on Ac 21:32). Josephus [Wars of the Jews, 3.4.2] says that five cohorts, whose full complement was one thousand men, were stationed at Cæsarea.

principal men of the city—both Jews and Romans. "This was the most dignified and influential audience Paul had yet addressed, and the prediction (Ac 9:15) was fulfilled, though afterwards still more remarkably at Rome (Ac 27:24; 2Ti 4:16, 17) [Webster and Wilkinson].

26. I have no certain—"definite"

thing to write my lord—Nero. "The writer's accuracy should be remarked here. It would have been … a mistake to apply this term ("lord") to the emperor a few years earlier. Neither Augustus nor Tiberius would let himself be so called, as implying the relation of master and slave. But it had now come (rather, "was coming") into use as one of the imperial titles" [Hacket].